A voyage aboard Providence changes Jonah’s plans, but
can it change his heart?
In November 1860, Jonah Ashton boarded the Providence
with a plan to escort his family to their new settlement in South America and
then return to medical school in Pennsylvania before rumors of Southern
rebellion erupt into all-out war. What he didn’t count on was getting lost at
sea… and Marian Foster. When they finally reach land, Jonah makes a startling
discovery that changes everything, but will it change his heart?
Aboard Providence ~ Snippet
He stepped forward, closing the distance between them.
“Yes, of course.”
“Since you will be our physician now—”
He lifted a hand and whispered, “It is only
temporary.”
“Yes, of course,” she replied at an equally quiet
volume. “But since Doctor Ashton is injured, my mother will need you if...” It
was too difficult to say aloud. She waited for the lump in her throat to
release.
Jonah’s brow furrowed. “Do you think there is
something wrong with your mother or the baby?”
“No... not yet.” She didn’t mean to reveal her doubt,
so she tried to cover with a mild grin and optimistic tone. “I’m sure
everything is fine.”
He slipped his hands into his pockets, emitting
casualness, and inclined his head toward her, engendering concern, but he
continually glanced at the stairway behind her. “Marian, I know about your mother’s
medical history. She has asked my mother to serve as midwife again. I won’t
intervene in the delivery unless it becomes necessary.”
Marian nodded, comforted by his understanding of the
situation. “If it does become necessary, which I pray every waking moment that
it does not, but if you must intervene, are you comfortable with that?”
“I am fully trained in obstetrics if that is what you
mean.”
“No, it isn’t. It’s good to know, but I’ve been there
with her during her last three deliveries and—” Her voice cracked. She looked
down at the empty water pitcher in her hands. “Those babies were my
siblings—two girls and a boy—all born dead. Mother is thirty-eight years old
now and pregnant for what she and my father swear is the last time. She depends
on me and I’ll be with her for this delivery too, but if this baby is
stillborn...”
Jonah’s brown eyes glanced at the stairway again then
back at her. He put his hand on her shoulder, neither drawing her closer nor
holding her off. “If she goes into labor before my father resumes his duties, I
will do everything in my power to help her and the baby, I promise.”
“Thank you.” Marian began to look away, but Jonah held
her gaze. She felt the heat from his hand through the fabric of her sleeve and
hoped he intended more than comfort, but that hope felt wrong, considering the
seriousness of their conversation. He was only reassuring her with a friendly
touch.
Ashamed for being infatuated with the man who would be
her mother’s doctor, she scolded herself for her immaturity. He wasn’t staying
with the settlement, so falling in love would only lead to heartbreak. But no
matter what she told herself, standing near him, alone and connected in the
dark hallway on a gloomy afternoon, she was fully aware that if he even
breathed a hint of attraction to her, every joint in her body would go limp.
The empty pitcher she held would hit the floor with a crash, the room would go
round as her dizzy head spun, and she would soften into a puddle of spineless
flesh and melt down the crimson carpet of the staircase, one achingly grand
stair at a time. When she reached the bottom step, all that remained of her
would be a calico dress, shards of the broken pitcher, and her teeth clamped in
a blissful smile.
What other authors are saying about the book:
“A delightful adventure reminiscent of Swiss Family
Robinson, Aboard Providence is one of those novels that will stick with me
because I feel I've lived it. A captivating, well-researched, and deftly
written tale I can confidently recommend to a wide range of readers.” –Heather
Day Gilbert, author of Amazon Norse bestseller God's Daughter
“With vivid settings and multi-layered characters,
Keely Brooke Keith whisks her readers off on a page-turning journey, not just
across the ocean, but within the heart. You won’t be able to put Aboard
Providence down until the final word is read and then you will long for more.”
–Brenda S. Anderson, author of the Coming Home series
“A blend of history and romance with a compelling
inspirational message, Keith expertly weaves an intriguing tale. Fans of the
Uncharted Series won’t want to miss this journey.” –Heidi McCahan, author of
Unraveled
“Keely Brooke Keith is a master storyteller, weaving
adventure, love, and wonderful characters into a vivid story that will take
readers on an unforgettable voyage to a new place. Full of inspirational
messages and tales of God’s love, readers will find themselves longing for
more. Keely’s story teaches all of us that the journey is just the beginning!”
–Christina Yother, author of the Hollow Hearts series
Purchase Aboard Providence
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About the Author
Keely Brooke Keith is the author of the Uncharted
series (Edenbrooke Press) and Aboard Providence (CrossRiver Media). Her novels
are known for blending genres in unconventional ways. When she isn’t writing
stories, Keely enjoys playing bass guitar, preparing homeschool lessons, and
collecting antique textbooks. Originally from St. Joseph, Missouri, Keely
resides with her husband and their daughter on a hilltop south of Nashville
where she dreams up stories, hoping to encourage, comfort, and inspire readers.
She is a member of ACFW.
Connect with Keely Brooke Keith
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